Forest Fire |Evan Buckley|

Chapter two

°July 2019, Los Angeles California°

[Ring of Fire • Johnny Cash]

Nora Joe Ryder stepped out of her truck and was hit with heat, not the sticky humid kind she was used to growing up in Texas but dry desert-like heat that irritated her sinuses. She had never felt dry heat before. She paid at the pump and topped off her tank.

It was a while before she got to her apartment complex. She lugged heavy boxes up the stairs, almost falling in the process if it wasn't for a guy catching her them and her if that was even possible.

"Whoa, careful now, wouldn't want to drop these." He said as he held a box with one hand and helped her up with the other.

"Thanks, its so nice to see that everyone here isn't stuck up." Nora said smiling.

The stranger smiled at her making his blue eyes crinkle. He was quite possibly the cutest guy she had seen yet. His sandy brown hair was curled at the top slightly. It was then that she noticed his slight limp as he followed her to her door.

"I take it you're not from around here?" He asked.

Nora shook her head.

"Nope, born and raised in Austin." She said smiling.

"I'm not from here either. I'm from Hershey." He said as she unlocked her door.

"Here let me get that." She said taking the box from him.

"I'm fine, besides you look like you need all the help you can get right now." He said.

Nora sighed. "I know a healing fracture when I see one. I wouldn't feel comfortable making you carry all my heavy boxes." She said.

"What are you, a nurse?" He asked.

"Paramedic firefighter actually." She smirked.

"I used to be a firefighter." He said sadly.

"What stopped you?" Nora asked. He looked like he'd been offended. He probably was given the fact that Nora was a stranger.

"Oh, where are my manners. I'm Nora Ryder." She said offering her hand to him. His attitude shifted and he gave her a weak smile.

"Evan Buckley, most people call me Buck." He said warmly.

The two carted in the rest of her things from the U-Haul and parted ways.

"If you ever want to talk my door is always open Buck." Nora said warmly.

"I'll keep that in mind." He said before disappearing behind his own door.

Nora had a long night ahead of her as her shift started tomorrow.

Just like clockwork her eyes shut, taking her to a time where she was much younger.

The shouting was getting louder downstairs. Nora was hiding in Judd's closet, she could hear him and Stuart, arguing about something, Judd had just gotten back from the group home. He had changed. He wasn't the same boy at all, his hot temper was replaced by a calmer attitude. Except when dad kept pestering him.